The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-10-13
"AVERELLS RAID.
Gen. II. r. Kelley Replies 20 Certain Statements OF
Gen. Ayerell.

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Gen. II. r. Kelley Replies to Certain Statements OF
Gen. Averell.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: A recent issue
OF THE NATIONAL TRIBNUE contained a COM
munication from Capt J. NJ. Rife, 9Th w. Va.
Cav, upon "AverelPs Raid.-Successful Sweep
TO the Rear Of Lees Army" etc. Some time
anterior TO this publication Capt Rife had
written 10 me, stating that he was writing
history of this raid. and desiring me TO give
him my recollections of il, which did briefly,
not having the copy of my orders before me.
From this IL Will appear that / was charged
with the duty Of putting this expedition on
foot, which did. i have been panied and
surprised TO see, upon authority of a note from
the editor, that Gen. Averell is reported as
saying that had nothing TO do with the plan
of the campaign.
IL is not my purpose or desire to get into
a controversy with a brother officer, but the
language attributed TO Gen. Averell is so mani
testify incorrect, and does me such gross in
justice that must in justification of myself,
put the matter right before the country, and
this j can best do by publishing my order to
Gen. Ayerell, the original of which is now on
file in the War Department. IL is as follows:
HEADQ'Rs, DEPARTMENT or WEST VIRGINIA. /
CUMBERLAND. Nh, Dec 5. 1853
GENERAL: You viii proceed with all OF your
available force now at New Greek, without delay,
via Petersburg. Franklin, Monterey. aud thence by
the most practicable route 10 The line OF the Nlr-
ginia A. Tennessee Railroad at Bousack's Station,
ia Boietourt County, or Salem. la Roanoke County,
or by dividing the command now move on both
points at the same time you may deem most
expedient, and destroy all the bridges. waIersta-
tons and depots the railroad in that neighbor-
hood aud otherwise injurc and destroy the road as
far as possible by removing the rails and rendering
them useless 10y heating and bending them.
Col. Thoburn, LIST Va, commanding brigade, will
report 10 you at Petersburg with two regiments Of
infantry and section of artillery for the eNpedi-
ton. This force will take with To Monte
rey or 10 such other point you may deem best,
ana leave II 10 guard your train ana await your
return.
You win take with you fifteen days raiions Of
hard bread. sugar, coffee aud salt and will rely
upon the country through which you pass for
forage and beef cattle. For these proper vouchers
will be given by the proper officers, such vouchers
60 state the with the taking
aud specify that payment will be made therefor
upon satisfactory evidence OF the owners loyalty
10 the United states Government. Should more
cattle be found than necessary for the support OF
the command while on the march. such surplus
cattle will also be taken. land for which similar
vouchers will be given and sent 10 some cOuve-
n'eut point on or near the Baltimore Ohio Rail-
road,
Interference with private property by soldiers Of
the command while ON the expedition should
not be permitted
petition you will return TO the Baltimore 4 Ohio
Railroad at any point you niny think best between
harper's Ferry and New Creek.
am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signedl Il. r. KELLEY. Brigadier-GeneTal.
Brig. -Cien. w. w. AvEREIL, Commanding First
Separate Brigade New Creek. w. Va.
My orders TO Gen. Sullivan, Gen. Scammon,
Col. Thoburn and Col Moore are also on file in
the War Department, together with their re-
ports 10 me OF the movements Of their respect
i've commands. 1t will be seen by reference 10
these papers that they fully corToborate all i
said 10 Capt. Rife in my note as published in
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE of Sept. &, lSS7. Ii
will be observed that the last-named officers
were ordered TO support Gen. AyerelPs expedi-
ton by attracting the enemy's attention from
the line of his march by threatening other
points. i also give the following extracts from
my report to the General-in-Chief Of the move
ments of these different commands:
HEADQRs, DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA !
CUMBERLAND MD, Feb. Ia, 1854.
In pursuance of the intimated wishes of the Gen
eIal-in-Chief, the 5ih day of December ordered
Brig. Gen. Ayerell, commanding the First Brigade
10 with all his available force via Petersburg
Franklin and Monterey, on the line Of the Virginia
4 Tennessee Railroad at Bonsack's Station Bote-
tour County, or salem in Roanoke County, and
there destroy the railroad To great extent and
thoroughly practicable. TO assist ia this
movement Gen. sullivan, Gen. Scammon. Col.
Moore and Col. Thoburn were TO make movements
la concert. The troops of Gen Sullivan
under Col. Wells. retired TO their quarters at
Charlesiown and Harper's Ferry on the same day
that Gen. Averell reached Beverly (2ith of Decem-
ber). having killed. wounded and captured a
number Of the enemy and having materially
assisted i'm the successful accomp shmenl Of the
general plan. The results OF the combined move
ment have been highly satisfactory aud important
iufiiciing q loss The enemy Of not less than 800
men and an immense amount OF provisions. ma
terial aud machinery, and the cutting of for
number OF weeks OF the most important line Of
communication. The behavior OF the
troops has been most commendable. aud the con-
duct of the different movements, with one eNcep-
tion. all that could he desired. The brigade OF Cen
Averell, TO which was assigned the most difficult
and hazardous duty. has ia it's successful accom-
plishmcnt of that duty won unfading aurPls, while
ats admirable conduct toward the peaceful inhabit-
ants OF The country and its heroic endurance OF
fatigue and privaton, add lusier 10 the glory OF its
success.
cannot suppose that Gen. Avorell would be
capable of either peryerting the facts rs they
appear in history, or OF doing me injustice. IL
he has been correctly reported / can only sup
pose that the facts of my connection with this
expedition had been forgotten by him.-B. F.
KELLEY. late Brevet Major General, u. s. A.
Washington, ID. C., Oct. ], 1887.